What is recycled water?
The California Water Code defines recycled water as “water which, as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur.” Water from tubs, toilets and sinks inside homes and offices travels to the Water Reuse Plant, where it is cleaned through a treatment process that is ranked among the top five percent in the world for wastewater treatment technology. The result is recycled water – a high-quality, tertiary-treated water that is safe for the irrigation of landscapes, agricultural crops, vegetable crops that are eaten raw, vineyards, playgrounds, golf courses, parks, cemeteries, freeway embankments, and street medians. It is also frequently used in industrial processes, decorative fountains, fire suppression systems and much more.

Water recycling allows water managers to match water quality to specific reuse applications. This reduces the amount of fresh water required for non drinking uses, ensuring that the best and purest sources of water will be reserved for the highest use - public drinking water.

View a Schematic of the Treatment Process.

Show All Answers

1. What is recycled water?
2. Where does recycled water come from?
3. What kind of water will the Water Reuse Plant produce?
4. Is Recycled Water Safe?
5. How is recycled water made?
6. Where is Santa Rosa Regional Reuse System’s recycled water currently used?
7. With an expanded reuse program, how else will recycled water be used?
8. Why is water recycling important?
9. Will the recycled water be safe for children playing in parks?
10. Is recycled water safe to drink?
11. Who develops the health standards for recycled water?
12. Is the use of recycled water mandatory?
13. Could recycled water get mixed with Santa Rosa’s drinking water?
14. How will I know if the water I see irrigating parks and other outdoor spaces is drinking water or recycled water?
15. What kind of technical support can recycled water customers expect?